For My Educators
For My Educators
Danielle Brawand
Today I hear
that the extra funds
for higher education
are building
a twelve million dollar
sports stadium.
And so,
to the man that sits
in a square office
of the twelve
classroom, Excess
Building,
this is for you.
Mr. President,
I first walked into
this college at the
age of eighteen
without the faintest
idea of the pluralities
of knowledge
I would find here.
I heard
the only words
of truth
I’ve ever found
in a place that points
to the who
and not the what
of
I am.
I felt the celebration
of creativity
stream through a
cacophonous symphony
the first time I heard
the poetry
of my peers.
Words began to slide
past my ears
as I felt
for the first time
my own heartbeat
in rhythmic rhyme.
My professor taught me
that on the days
when I felt unable
to breathe
the best thing
I can do
is read
the words
of those that came
before me.
Kafka and Kant,
Crane and Cummings
these names became
a liquid
soothing my
cracked identity.
I learned that the whisper
of my mind,
always humming,
didn’t have to find
a home in the oblivion
of a strong drink.
I found light again
in the word of linguistics,
the nature of language,
reminding me that time
is not of the essence,
but quality will reminisce
in the thoughts of others.
I found community
in my sisters and brothers
that knew the spirit
of a creative art.
We lifted each other
from the classification
of economy
and watched our
differences disappear
in shared passion.
We become our own synecdoche:
the part of a whole we believed
could exist
in a world where love
and diversity persist,
despite the fear of future,
and the tugging pang
of solitude
that withered so many
of the wonders
we’d forgotten in life,
because we walked
into a room
where an instructor
stands and speaks
of why we need
to communicate.
This place
gave me a name
when I was first told
that I am a writer,
that I am worthy,
that a fictional story
can depict a culture
can show a truth
can change a mind
can raise our youth
can transcend time.
My professors
gave me purpose.
They looked directly
into the eyes
of my young self
being so afraid of
feeling worthless,
and they opened
their mouths
and breathed wisdom
into my spirit,
allowing me
to take it
as my own.
I fall down to my knees
not in despair,
but in celebration,
in exaltation
for an institution
of higher education
that places emphasis
on a student’s desire
to learn.
I found intellect here.
I found consciousness
and faith.
I found power
in the present moment
of today.
I found love
in the pages of my books.
I found a home
in the cornered nooks
of the king center.
I became so much more:
a presenter,
a commentator,
a reader,
a speaker,
a person that could shout
and know the strength
of a whisper.
I found my future
on the day that I realized
that the magic
flashing before my eyes
started with my educators.
I found hope
in realizing
I didn’t have to know
every author
of every book
to feel the power
of a single look
of pride
shining from the eyes
of my mentors.
I sing praise
to Ruderman,
who encourages
me to write
every day.
I call for joy:
the melodic chorus
when I think of Dr. Gorlach
and her passion in teaching
the orient of the sign.
I am the person
that stands before
you today,
strong and unafraid,
because of the chance
I’ve been given to cultivate
my love for language.
And so I’d like to thank you,
for giving me an environment
where the most relevant
of focus
is placed
on providing me
with the educators of today
that I know will raise
the minds of tomorrow.
And I humbly beg
you to borrow
some of my love.
And please
give this same opportunity
to the student body
that will join this college
as it establishes itself
as a university,
that maintains its
strength in difference
from the others,
because we recognize
the passion
of our educators.
Reconsider
where your investments lie,
because this incredible place
has changed my life
and I won’t listen
to anyone say
that in the small change
of a name
we will stray
from what sets us apart.
Please,
use our funds
to start
a revolution;
set the example
for other institutions.
Promise
that our short supply
will be used to recognize
the people
that dedicate their lives
to make sure
students thrive
in this place.
They say the strength
of a building
lies in its initial platform,
and I believe completely
that my education has formed
such a perfect vision of my life.
And I know
that the building blocks
of this home
that we call Metro
are the people
that taught me
to let go
of the lie
that happiness
is derived
from a place
without passion.
I believe I speak
for a majority
when I pray
Please,
start this change
with a statement.
Promise that before
securing some investments
we will recognize
the frame
that put us
in this position.
I know
that if Metro
prides itself on becoming
a home
that shelters its keepers,
you will be met
with the rushing fever
of students
that are eager
to learn from teachers
that they know
are treated with
the respect they deserve.
You get to decide
how the streets
of knowledge are paved.
So paint a clear path:
give our educators a raise.
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